Intersections, T-Junctions & Roundabouts
You enter a busy roundabout and find three cars already circling. Another car enters from the opposite arm at the same moment you do. Who moves first? Getting roundabout priority wrong is one of the most common causes of city fender-benders in India.
Uncontrolled Intersections — The Right-Hand Rule
At a crossroads with no traffic signals, no stop signs, and no police, apply the right-hand rule: yield to any vehicle approaching from your right. If a vehicle on your right is also turning, the one whose path crosses first takes priority. When in doubt, slow to near-stop and make eye contact before proceeding. Creep forward only when you are certain the other driver has seen you and yielded.
Roundabouts — Inside Traffic Has Priority
At a roundabout, vehicles already circling inside always have right of way over vehicles trying to enter. You must wait at the entry until a safe gap appears in the circling traffic. Signal right when you're approaching your exit, then signal left as you take your exit. Never stop inside a roundabout except to avoid a collision — stopping disrupts the flow for everyone.
T-Junctions — The Through Road Has Priority
At a T-junction, the vehicle on the through road (the top of the T) has right of way over the vehicle on the minor road (the stem of the T) trying to join it. If you are on the minor road, you must give way. Look right, then left, then right again before pulling out. Never assume the through road is clear simply because no vehicle is immediately visible.
Red means stop behind the stop line. Amber (yellow) after red means 'prepare to go' — do not move yet. Green means go only when it is safe. Amber after green means 'prepare to stop' — do not accelerate through it. Jumping a red light carries a fine of ₹1,000–₹5,000 (first offence ₹1,000, repeat ₹5,000) and is a leading cause of fatal urban crashes.
U-turns are only permitted where a sign explicitly allows them. On national and state highways, U-turns are banned — use designated median openings or the next authorised turn point. Making an illegal U-turn on a high-speed road puts you directly in the path of fast-moving traffic, often with fatal results. The fine for an illegal U-turn is ₹500 under MVA s.177.
Intersection and Junction Signs
Roundabout / Traffic Circle
Three arrows in a circle — everyone flows together anti-clockwise like a drain.
No U-Turn
U-arrow with a cross — the letter U itself is banned.
T-Intersection Ahead
Triangle with T inside — the road becomes a T and you must choose a direction.
Crossroads Ahead
Triangle with a plus-sign inside — plus = cross = crossroads.
Traffic Signal Ahead
Triangle with three-circle signal — a mini traffic light inside a warning.
fine for jumping a red light (repeat offence)
First offence: ₹1,000 | Plus 3-month licence suspension possible
Source: MVA 1988 s.177 (as amended 2019)
You are entering a roundabout. There are two cars already circling inside. What must you do?
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The traffic light turns amber as you approach at 60 km/h and you're 15 metres from the stop line. What should you do?
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- ✓At uncontrolled crossroads, always yield to the vehicle on your right.
- ✓Vehicles inside a roundabout have priority — wait for a gap before entering.
- ✓At T-junctions, the through road always has priority over the minor road.
- ✓Red means stop, amber means prepare — never accelerate through an amber signal.
- ✓U-turns on national highways are prohibited; use designated median openings.
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